KUECHLY GRANTS BIRTHDAY WISH FOR FAN: Two days before a dramatic Week 13 victory in New Orleans, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly made a surprise visit to Jessica Hayes for her 21st birthday. Jessica has cerebral palsy and autism, but she also has a big heart for her family and her football team, just like Luke. Watch the video below and read more about Luke's birthday surprise here.
PANTHERS REMAIN TOP TEAM IN POWER RANKINGS: Following New England's Week 12 loss to the Broncos, the Panthers advanced to the top slot in the majority of the weekly power rankings. Thanks to the victory over New Orleans, Carolina remains the top-ranked team for the second straight week. ESPN, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, NFL.com, USA Today and Yahoo Sports are among the major media outlets that rank Carolina as the No.1 team in the NFL.
NO-CAR GAME GRADES: According to Kiernan Hogan of Pro Football Focus, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton earned his highest grade of the season during the Panthers 41-38 victory over New Orleans. Newton finished the game with 380 combined passing and rushing yards and strengthened his case for MVP. On the other side of the ball, all four of Carolina's defensive linemen earned positive grades. READ MORE
PANTHERS REPORT CARD FOR WEEK 13: Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer provides his grades for each position group after the Panthers' win over New Orleans. READ MORE
BIG DEBUT FOR CORTLAND: Max Henson of Panthers.com catches up with veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan after his memorable debut with the Panthers. READ MORE
Week 13: Saints vs. Panthers
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries for a first down as he is tackled by Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) and strong safety Roman Harper (41) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram is tackled by Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) on a first down carry in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) drops back to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) scores on a touchdown reception in front of Carolina Panthers defensive back Colin Jones (42) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates with New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) after his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Stephone Anthony (50) celebrates his touchdown with outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha (44) and free safety Jairus Byrd (31) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is tackled by New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers running back Brandon Wegher (32) scores a touchdown in front of New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) fumbles as New Orleans Saints defensive back Brian Dixon (20) tries to tackle him in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) scores a touchdown as he is dragged down by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) drops back to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) score on a touchdown reception in front of New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner (39) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) scores a touchdown in front of New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner (39), New Orleans Saints linebacker James Anderson (42) and defensive tackle Kaleb Eulls (71) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera challenges an official in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) pulls in a touchdown reception =as New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Stephone Anthony (50) pursues in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) tries to avoid the sack by Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen (69) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (82) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of New Orleans Saints defensive back Chris Owens (30) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after throwing the game winning touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, shakes hands with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera after an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. The Panthers won 41-38. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
El quarterback Cam Newton (1) de los Panthers de Carolina tras la victoria contra los Saints de Nueva Orleáns el domingo 6 de diciembre de 2015. (AP Foto/Bill Feig)
